The City is continuing its electrification project at Masonwabe settlement in Gugulethu, aimed at connecting 55 homes to the electricity grid. The R883 735 project forms part of the City’s ongoing efforts to provide safe and reliable electricity services to residents in informal settlements, where feasible.
The City’s Mayco member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg, said the Masonwabe electrification project in Gugulethu is progressing swiftly, with teams having already installed poles to support the overhead aerial bundle cables that are not only an effective alternative to theft-prone copper cables but also offer significantly enhanced quality of supply.
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In addition, she said the department’s teams have been installing pre-assembled, wall-mountable electrical distribution boards, designed with new technologies that include a light bulb, multiple sockets, including for USBs, for seamless plug-and-play.
Lifeline tariff brings relief to residents
“Having spoken with some members of this community, I was moved by their excitement as they will have the dignity of accessing formal electricity. Those already connected have shared with me how the City’s subsidised lifeline tariff, which includes up to 60 Free Basic Electricity units (FBE), has enabled them to manage household costs in the wake of Eskom-driven tariff hikes,” said Limberg.
Seven EPWP jobs for Masonwabe locals
She added that the benefit of this project is the creation of local employment opportunities, with seven Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) work opportunities created specifically for residents in Masonwabe, ensuring direct pride and ownership of their infrastructure. She said she would like to thank the community, which waited patiently for this project and cooperated with the City from the initial consultation and design phases until they started implementation.
“We owe a great deal of gratitude to the City’s Energy teams, who continue to positively impact lives by unlocking opportunities that come with formal electricity access. For us at the City, electrification is about more than providing electricity. It is about improving residents’ quality of life, making communities safer and ensuring households can access reliable services,” said Limberg.
City prioritises feasible areas for electrification
The City’s electrification programme prioritises areas where land ownership, service supply arrangements and site conditions allow for electricity infrastructure.
Once connected, qualifying households can access subsidised services, including Free Basic Electricity.
